Christmas is over

I will soon post photos from Christmas but for now I will leave you with a sure sign that Christmas is over. This was our gingerbread house.

Dick and Jane

I remember reading Dick and Jane books when I was a youngster. "Look, Jane, Look!" When on a trip to the St. Paul Public Library I spotted Dick and Jane I just had to bring them home. Jackson is reading from them and I find it incredibly rewarding!



Christmas Eve at Grandma Jan's



Great Grandpa Jim and Addie



Great Grandpa Jim, Addie and Jackson

Time to make a note for Santa

For you Santa and your Reindeer.

Christmas at Grandma Pam's

Addie and Jackson got a real kick out of Christmas this year.  Jackson couldn't wait to get everything on his list and Addie was completely afraid of Santa Claus.  I would wrap presents and Addie would sit in my lap clinging to me, thinking that Santa would plop down our chimney at any moment.  We spent Christmas with all of those that we love over the course of a few days and got so many wonderful gifts and new toys to play with. The first of our stops was at Grandma Pam's to celebrate. (Jackson insisted that he should wear a tie.)

Wearing the same dress my mom wore when she was little.

Santa came for a visit.

The boys.

Sara and Lukey

Jackson and Santa

Sara and her mom

And the whole crew!

Merry Christmas

I did it!

I can't believe this day is finnally here!!!  I graduated.

The last few weeks have been nothing but work and homework, I've gone cross-eyed sitting at the computer and now I'm done.  I don't ever have to open a textbook again.  I am beyond thrilled, so much so that i can't even begin to explain how happy I feel!

Christmas Baking

This kid is getting so big!  Jackson made 2 dozen christmas cookies this year entirely on his own, minus the whole hot oven part.  He rolled the dough, used flour on his rolling pin and made them into candycanes, snowmen and gingerbread.  I can't believe how patient and determined this kid was.  It was so great working with him.

Jackson's Bed

 Ron has a project going for Jackson's room, a new bed.  A loft bed with a desk!  Jackson is thrilled.

This looks cozy.

Hanukkah

This year Jackson and I spent significant time learning about Hanukkah, the story and customs of the celebration.  We made a menorrah from marshmallows and birthday candles, made latkas for lunch and discussed Judaism and learned of Judas Maccabeus.  I thought all was well and I was proud of my teachings but realized how much I missed telling Jackson after a trip to Target.  As we were walking the main aisle, he noticed a selection of Menorrahs on an endcap.  He pointed them out and we were stopped to take a closer look when Jackson asked why there would be Menorrahs in Target when there aren't any Jews in Minnesota. Oh Vey!

Where do the Elves live?

In Gingerbread houses of course.  Thankfully more candy ended up on the house than in the mouths of the young ones, but there was a lot of candy-eating going on.  This years house was not as solidly built as ones in years past.  At first, I didn't add enough water to our "glue" and then I over did it.  I was dripping sticky glue all over, the frosting was running down my hands and slipping off the gingerbread. The roof almost caved in but we managed to save it.  I thought for sure we'd wake up in the morning with a collapsed house, but it was still standing.

Winter Camping

To keep the kids busy this weekend, Ron set up the tent... in our living room!!  Jackson and Addie watched The Jungle Book from inside the tent.  Jackson talked Ron into sleeping in the tent with him the first night and I was the lucky camper the second night. When I woke up I encouraged Ron to take the tent down for fear of spending the next week sleeping on the floor!

Macy's for Christmas

Ron and I took the kids to the downtown Minneapolis Macy's for the Christmas display.  This year the theme was Santa's Elves.  It was an amazing display and Ron and I both loved seeing the wonder and sparkles in both Addie and Jackson's eyes.

At the end there was a chance to see Santa.  Jackson hopped right up on Santa's lap and showed Santa all of the things on his Christmas list including the few things he added that he thought Addie might like. Addie on the other hand, well let's just say Addie is not Santa's biggest fan.  Just wait until you see our Christmas card.

And after all of the exciting events of the morning we took the kids to Macy's for lunch.  It was a wonderful day!

The First Snow

The first snowflakes came down today.  Jackson couldn't wait to get outside and put his outdoor gear on from hat to boots all on his own!  Addie on the other hand was a little hesitant, watching from inside the house while Jackson and I played.  After seeing the fun we were having Addie warmed up (just being funny) to the idea of frolicking in the newly fallen snow.

Letter A

The other day while I was doing some homework or work at my desk I set Addie up with some crayons and some stickers.  A few minutes later she shouts "It's an A!" I turned to look and sure enough, this was on her paper:

I tried to ask her to make another A and it didn't seem that she was able.  I'm guessing this came out and she surprised even herself!

Getting Crafty

I have been incredibly busy at work and with school so my blog has not been doing well.  I find it hard to write details about what we are up to because I can rarely concentrate for any length of time when I am not working or doing homework.

However, I am still finding the time to soak up all the great things that come along with being a mom.  Lately we've been doing some crafts in our house.  With the cooler weather I enjoy the time in my house coming up with new ways to entertain the kids. 

This particular project was a little more about entertaining me as it required the use of a craft knife that was much too sharp for small fingers.  I made this storm trooper one, but also a Boba Fett and Darth Vader snowflake.  Jackson was way impressed!

Halloween 2011

My knight in shining armor

Prettiest little rabbit ever!

The Role of

This weekend I played the role of a rockstar's wife, college student, short-order cook, mother to a bunny rabbit and a knight in shining armor and house-cleaner.  Next weekend I hope my understudy can take over for me, I'm beat!

Dancing Queen

Likes and Dislikes

Addie likes: soy milk, cookies, going to the library, chili, tumbling class, reading books, dancing, singing Twinkle Twinkle, playing dress-up, sleeping with her nuk, tickles, her big girl bed, brushing her teach, playing outside, looking in the mirror, putting on makeup, tackling her big brother, trying to wear underwear and turning circles in her car in the driveway.

Addie does not like: sharing, waiting for breakfast, taking off her shoes, watching tv and being helped.

Jackson likes: watching super hero shows, playing star wars, dressing as Darth Vader, going to the library, reading books, playing with Isaac at school, going to the grocery store, painting, Playmobil, playing pirates, chocolate dipped ice cream cones, donuts, making up songs and taking toys away from his sister.

Jackson does not like: doing homework, eating chili, sitting on his chair while eating, red sauce, pears, being cold and going to bed or getting up in the morning.

Random thoughts...

I am looking forward to a time when I can take more time to write posts for my blog. I feel like I'm not documenting Addie's childhood as much as I did Jackson's because I just don't have the same amount of time.

Addie is holding her own with Jackson. Just as much as Jackson is wrestling with Addie, Addie is taking her turn at tackling Jackson when he lets his guard down.

I have two weeks left of this term and then another 8 week term before I am done with school.

Ron and Jackson are starting the winter project, a new bed for Jackson.

We sold Addie's crib today and all of the cute bedding that I so thoughtfully picked out when I was pregnant with Jackson. I wanted a bedding that could be used for our baby boy that was about to arrive, but knowing that we would maybe have a second I wanted something that would work for a girl too. I patiently hand-painted little bees in the nursery to match the bedding. And just like it was hard to leave the bees behind in our old house, it was hard to see the baby's crib go out our front door.

Last night we saw our first grown-up movie in a very long time. I've been to the theater but it's been to see things like Toy Story 3 and Rio! We went with Libby and Cory to see Ides of March and it was fantastic.

New Aquatic Center at MCC

Wordless Wednesday (Darth)

Growing Fast!

They grow so fast. These photos were taken one year ago today.

It's a long way down

We took the bed rail like this one from Jackson's bed and put it on Addie's. We had just spent two nights in a Duluth hotel where Jackson slept fine in a double bed and decided he wouldn't be needing it anymore.

As we tucked Addie in her big girl bed, Ron and I remembered that the first night Jackson was in his big boy bed, Ron slept on the floor next to him. We decided that wouldn't be necessary, gave Addie her hugs and kisses and turned out the lights. A bit later we tucked Jackson in and check on Addie. She was sound asleep in her beautiful bed, covered in pink blankets and surrounded by her "baby dolls".

I went downstairs to the office to work on homework and Ron was in the next room taking a shower. It was then that I heard a thud but really didn't think anything of it because it sounded like it came from the next room and not directly above me. I figured Ron had bumped the shower wall with his elbow or something and continued working on accounting figures. Ron came running out of the bathroom wonder what that was.

Uh oh. So upstairs I ran and opened Addie's door. Huh?? She was still snuggled in peacefully sleeping. So off to Jackson's room I go and there he is asleep.... on his floor!

I picked him up and snuggled him back in to the far side of his bed up against the wall.

In the morning Ron asked him how he slept and if he fell out of bed. His response: "Nope!" Thankfully, the second, third and fourth nights have gone without an incident.

Big News

Addie is right now down for her first night of sleep in a big girl bed! I will check in tomorrow and let you know how it all goes. How many times will she fall out? How many times will she climb out?

Fall in Duluth



Celebrating Grandma Jan's birthday in Duluth this year.  Happy Birthday Grandma!